Plants and creatures

Euphorbia Trigona Rubra  African Milk Barrel   (is a succulent plant). Also known as African Milk Tree, Cathedral Cactus, Euphorbia Trigona 'Royal Red‘, Abyssinian Euphorbia and Good Luck Plant.  Origin: West Africa Scientific name: Euphorbia Trigona 'Rubra‘ https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm

Pilea peperomioides -  Chinese money plant also called as pancake plant, UFO plant, lefse plant, missionary plant, Bender Plant and mirror grass From the Yunnan and Sichuan provinces in southern China  Scientific name: Pilea peperomioides Order: Rosales If you have time visit  https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm to have a look at some of my cactus plants in more detail. 

Chlorophytum comosum is a species of perennial flowering plant. The plants are native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Australia. Also known as  Spider Plant Airplane plant St. Bernard's lily Spider ivy Ribbon plant Hen and chickens  Scientific name: Chlorophytum comosum Higher classification: Chlorophytum Family: Asparagaceae Order: Asparagales If you have time visit  https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm to have a look at some of my cactus plants in more detail. 

Daisy-Chrysantemum Chrysanthemums, sometimes called mums or chrysanths, are flowering plants of the genus Chrysanthemum in the family Asteraceae. They are native to East Asia and North-eastern Europe. Scientific name: Chrysanthemum Family: Asteraceae If you have time visit  https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm to have a look at some of my cactus plants in more detail. 

Sage (Salvia officinalis) is a perennial, evergreen subshrub. Sage is an herb. Sage has woody stems with grayish leaves. The Sage flowers are blue to purplish flowers. The leaf is used to make medicine (digestive problems, including loss of appetite, flatulence, gastritis, diarrhea, bloating, and heartburn) Family: Lamiaceae https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm

Opuntia microdasys  Red Bunny Ears, Cinnamon Bunny Ears Opuntia microdasys is a species of flowering plant in the cactus family Cactaceae, native and endemic to central and northern Mexico. Opuntia pailana is a species of the genus Opuntia in the family Cactaceae. The name pailana comes from the sierra de la Paila in the state of Coahuila Mexico If you have time visit  https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm to have a look at some of my cactus plants in more detail. 

Rhipsalis Cashero - Mistletoe Cactus Rhipsalis is a cactus found in the rainforests of South America, the Caribbean, and Central America. Rhipsalis Cashero needs regular watering. visit Cactus Realm

The Yucca filamentosa also known as Adam’s needle and thread. The Yucca filamentosa is an evergreen Shrub from the family Asparagaceae (native to the southeastern United States). It grows quite well in my garden (Surrey, UK). Produces flowers on a yearly basis, the plants attracts a variety insects including moths. https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm

Cyclamen plants Cyclamen plants are very popular as houseplants. With beautiful flowers they are very decorative. Easy to look after. Many different varieties with different colours. https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm

Parodia Scopa - Silver Ball Cactus Parodia scopa syn. Notocactus scopa (silver ball cactus) is a species of flowering plant in the cactus family Cactaceae, native to upland southern Brazil and Uruguay

Euphorbia Pulvinata Origin and Habitat: South Africa Common Names: Pincushion Euphorbia, Prickly Heaps, Pincushion Cactus, Prickly-leaved Cushion Euphorbia If you have time visit https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm to have a look at some of my cactus plants in more detail.

Flowering Delosperma Echinatum - Pickle Plant Pickle plant - Delosperma echinatum Also known as the pickle cactus or Ice plant. this is a succulent and not a cactus at all. It may look like a cactus. A native of the Eastern Cape of South Africa. It is pretty tolerant to chilly temperatures. Very low maintenance plant. If you have time visit https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm to have a look at some of my cactus plants in more detail.

Blackberries can be found on Bramble bushes. Blackberries contain many nutrients including potassium, magnesium and calcium. They also are a good source of vitamins (A, C, E and B vitamins. They are also a rich source of anthocyanins (powerful antioxidants).

Opuntia hystricina v  ursina  polyacantha    Porcupine Prickly Pear, Hedgehog Prickly Pear Many Synonyms:  Opuntia polyacantha erinacea  Opuntia polyacantha arenaria  Opuntia polyacantha polyacantha  Opuntia polyacantha hystricina

Cereus peruvianus monstruosa Many synonyms Cereus peruvianus   monstrose Cereus peruvianus   monstruoso Cactus  peruvianus  var. monstruosus

Bees gorging on globe artichoke The bees seem to love this plant. If you have flowers with seed pods you can leave them out for the birds. If you have time visit  https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm to have a look at some of my cactus plants in more detail.

pollinators - All kinds of insects pollinating plants Pollinators: Many different kinds of insects and birds visit flowers and trees. They seek nectar, pollen and sometimes also to lay eggs on the plants. There are many pollinators of plants and trees. Bees, wasps, common houseflies, bluebottles, birds, moths, gnats, mosquitos and butterflies are examples of pollinators. Bees are probably the best known pollinators.

Mammillaria polythele Mammillaria polythele endemic to Mexico. Mammillaria polythele is a cactus in the genus Mammillaria. Usually found as solitary plants. Cylindrical in shape, with an erect stem. The color is dark green to blue green. Please visit Cactus Realm for many cactus plant and other plants and creatures videos. Many gardening tips. https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm.

Aloe aristata  - Torch Plant Aloe aristata Torch Plant Evergreen succulent Perennial Grows easily in well drained soil - enjoys sunshine. Can be propagated by seed or from offsets which grow from the plant.

Cereus forbesii spiralis Cereus peruvianus  tortuosus Twisted Cereus Contorted Cereus This unusual cactus plant is a probably a descendant from a very large Cereus forbesii spiralis plant in peru. Please visit Cactus Realm https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm

Lobivia Densispina From the regions of Southern Bolivia and northern Argentina. Synonyms: Echinopsis densispina. Many thanks to Alan Appleby for identifying the correct species. Please visit Cactus Realm https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm

Propagating cactus plants. Cactus plants are easily propagated. Seeds can also be used but if your plant has pups this an easier way. In this video an Echinopsis plant was used as an example. Please visit Cactus Realm https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm

Mammillaria wagneriana with flowers - 2020 Originates from Mexico This cactus plant has flowered and it produced another set of small yellow beautiful flowers If you have time visit https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm to have a look at some of my cactus plants in more detail.

Gymnocalycium eurypleurum - flowering 2020 This beautiful plant has flowered once again. This plant is heavily armed with thick spines (very hard). Scientific name: Gymnocalycium eurypleurum Order: Caryophyllales Family: Cactaceae If you have time visit  https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm to have a look at some of my cactus plants in more detail. 

Gaillardia Aristata - (Blanket Flower) Gaillardia Aristata - (Blanket Flower) Gaillardia aristata is a genus of flowering plants in the sunflower family, Asteraceae, native to North and South America Please visit Cactus Realm https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm

Echinopsis subdenudata - Easter lily cactus Echinopsis subdenudata Cárdenas Flowering 2020 - This cactus has flowered. The flower lasted just 1 day. If you have time visit  https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm to have a look at some of my cactus plants in more detail. 

Echinocereus - Hedgehog cactus Please visit Cactus Realm https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm Echinocereus - Hedgehog cactus This cactus plant originates from Southwestern USA (Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, California and Mexico

Feeding Great Spotted Woodpecker chick 4th June 2020 The GSW chick flew out of the nest soon afterwards. Still nearby and was able to feed a couple of times. Has now flown to the very top of a tree so not sure if it will come down for a feed again to the apple tree where it was in the nest.

Great Spotted Woodpecker chick Great Spotted Woodpecker chick eating from a bowl 2nd June 2020 After the chick tried to eat my fingers yesterday I have resorted to feeding the chick via a small bowl. Chick is approx 16 days old now.

Hand feeding Great Spotted Woodpecker chick 1st June 2020 Hand feeding Great Spotted Woodpecker chick 1st June 2020 (Dendrocopos major)

Euphorbia Obesa.   Euphorbia obesa  is a subtropical  succulent  species of flowering plant in the genus Euphorbia.  Succulent from South Africa If you have time visit https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm to have a look at some of my cactus plants in more detail.

Feeding Great Spotted Woodpecker chick 31st May 2020 Daily update. Chick growing up. If you have time visit https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm to have a look at some of my cactus plants in more detail.

Feeding Great Spotted Woodpecker chick 30th May 2020 The Parents of the  great spotted woodpecker chicks have disappeared. We have been feeding the GSW for a few days now and it seems to be growing stronger. I Hope it survives after it fledges. It has no parent to feed and find food for it for the first few days.

Feeding Great Spotted Woodpecker chick 28th May 2020 The Parents of the Great Spotted Woodpecker chicks have disappeared. Last seen about 5 days ago. As a last resort we have started to feed the chick. It has survived so far. Apologies for the video being a bit wobbly but I was up a ladder and trying to feed the chick whilst taking video.

Malephora crocea - Ice Plant Malephora is a genus of succulent plants in the ice plant family.   If you have time visit  https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm to have a look at some of my cactus plants in more detail.

Love-In-A-Mist - Nigella Love-In-A-Mist (Nigella Damascena)This beautiful self seeding plant is easy to grow. Flowers can be many shades of blue, pink and white. This is very often used on Nan bread and is referred to as kalanji. Video Location: Surrey UK The genus name Nigella is a diminutive of the Latin niger (black), referring to the seed color. The specific epithet, "sativa", refers to "cultivation". In English, N. sativa and its seed are variously called black caraway, black seed, black cumin, fennel flower, nigella, nutmeg flower, Roman coriander, and kalanji. If you have time visit https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm to have a look at some of my cactus plants in more detail.

19 May 2020 Walk in the garden Quick stroll round our garden. If you have time visit https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm to have a look at some of my cactus plants in more detail.

https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm/photo-of-the-day Flowering Mammillaria spinosissima Mammillaria spinosissima spiny pincushion cactus family Cactaceae From Mexico If you have time visit https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm to have a look at some of my cactus plants in more detail.

17th May 2020 Great spotted woodpecker chicks Male Great spotted woodpecker brings food for chicks. You can hear the chicks chirping away. The male brings food 3 times in a 20 minute spell (endless task), each time you can hear the chicks getting exciting and chirping away. As an added bonus you can hear a blackbird singing away a beautiful tune on a nearby tree. At one point the GSW flew out directly into my mobile phone. This is an unedited 20 minute shoot. If you have time visit  https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm to have a look at some of my cactus plants in more detail. 

Great Spotted Woodpecker 8th May 2020 Great Spotted Woodpecker - This chick started life in a nest in our apple tree. The parents seem to have abandoned the chick so I was feedick the chick to keep it alive. If you have time visit  https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm to have a look at some of my cactus plants in more detail.

Great Spotted Woodpecker - This chick started life in a nest in our apple tree. The parents seem to have abandoned the chick so I was feedick the chick to keep it alive. If you have time visit  https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm to have a look at some of my cactus plants in more detail.

Stenocactus multicostatus Also known as Echinofossulocactus multicostatus, Wave Cactus, Brain Cactus From Mexico If you have time visit https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm to have a look at some of my cactus plants in more detail.

Oscar the Squirrel eating bread We have a few squirrels in our garden and they always enjoy our left over bread. If you have time visit  https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm to have a look at some of my cactus plants in more detail. 

Great Spotted Woodpecker making a nest 20 April 2020 This is a decent quality video, unfortunately it was very windy to-day so a bit of wind noise. Will post more videos later. If you have time visit https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm to have a look at some of my cactus plants in more detail. Great Spotted White Woodpecker making a nest

European Goldfinch 19 April 2020 The European goldfinch or simply the goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) is a small passerine bird in the finch family that is native to Europe, North Africa. If you have time visit  https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm to have a look at some of my cactus plants in more detail. 

Great Spotted Woodpecker making a hole Check out other videos: Great Spotted Woodpecker - This chick started life in a nest in our apple tree. The parents seem to have abandoned the chick so I was feedick the chick to keep it alive. If you have time visit  https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm to have a look at some of my cactus plants in more detail.  Great Spotted White Woodpecker, Dendrocopos major

Great Spotted White Woodpecker Great Spotted Woodpecker making a nest. This is a decent quality video, unfortunately it was very windy to-day so a bit of wind noise. Will post more videos later. If you have time visit  https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm to have a look at some of my cactus plants in more detail. 

Malden Manor - Hogsmill Nature Trail This video as shot in 4K. No sound added so you can hear the real nature sounds. This was filmed on one of our COVID19 exercise walks.  On the other side of the bridge you can find the "Mosaic Mural at Malden Manor railway bridge. This is where Millais painted Ophelia" video via this link https://youtu.be/5ghjF9rOLO0

European Goldfinch The European goldfinch or simply the goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) is a small passerine bird in the finch family that is native to Europe, North Africa Gardell – Stieglitz – cardellino – Chardonneret elegant – putter – Scczgiel – Pintassilgo If you have time visit  https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm to have a look at some of my cactus plants in more detail. 

Mammillaria bocasana 2020 2020 Mammillaria bocasana - cactus in windows sill pots first flower during COVID19 lockdown. This cactus plant is also known as "Powder Puff Pincushion" also known as "Fishhooks" or "Snowball Cactus" If you have time visit my daily photo of a plant either from my garden or along the exercise stroll I take on a daily basis. https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm/photo-of-the-day